Paris 2024: Australia will take its biggest boxing squad ever but medals remain the target
The man tasked with leading Australia’s largest ever Olympic boxing team isn’t just satisfied, he’s confident our athletes can finish on the podium. He gives an insight into the road ahead.
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Australia’s Olympic boxing coach Santiago Nieva is confident the team he is taking to Paris isn’t satisfied with a piece of history in participation.
The Aussies will send its boxing largest team – and the Olympics’ largest boxing team – when 12 go to Paris in July.
Nieva believes the Australian team – led by captain Caitlin Parker and Aussie favourite Harry Garside – have several boxers “in medal contention”.
“It’s a fantastic group to work with, I have really enjoyed my time here because we have built up a good team culture,” he said.
“We’re working hard in a positive environment and hopefully we can make some history in Paris.
“We target medals, we won medals in the women’s World Championships in every weight category – first time ever – and in the men’s we just missed out but we have a big medal hope in Harry Garside.
“We have several boxers with strong international results so I would say they are in medal contention.
“We know it’ll be tough, we’ve only won one medal in 13 or something years but we go in with confidence.”
While confident in his group, Nieva is encouraging his team to remain aware of its challengers.
“We are the biggest team so far by the numbers but it doesn’t mean we’re the strongest team in the world,” he said.
“Uzbekistan for example were the strongest in the men’s championships and are improving in the women’s as well.
“China, India, USA, Cuba and Kazakhstan historically, are very strong, there will be strong contenders.”
Nieva expects his team to capture the hearts of Australians during the Olympics.
“It’s a joy to work with them,” he said.
“They take their boxing very seriously but try to enjoy the moment and have fun on the ride as well.
“I am looking forward to having a great camp.
“We’re having a camp with Brazil, who has the second most boxers with 10.
“I look forward to every single activity we have because we see progress, we see improvement.
“With a little bit of a luck in the Olympics, we will be really strong.”
Archivist Media is following the history-making Australian’s to produce an in-depth documentary on its journey.
Originally published as Paris 2024: Australia will take its biggest boxing squad ever but medals remain the target
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